All of my games are now "uninstalled" please read

[RGTX]

So I recently installed a new SSD in my computer and added it to my steam library folders. All of my games (around 500+ GB) were previously stored on an external HDD (and yes, I have read steam's statement about HDD's not being recommended). This old HDD folder has now disappeared, and I can't add it back because the folder "must be empty" or I get the message that "steam will manage downloads in one folder". How the heck do I get steam to re-recognize my games? I've tried everything I can find online.. please help

[mimizukari]

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8379-RYIP-2998

External Hard Drives

External hard drives are not recommended for use with Steam or Steam's games. Aside from many potential performance issues, external hard drives may connect or disconnect from the computer at inopportune times as part of their normal operations. If you encounter this issue with an external drive, install Steam and your games to an internal drive instead.

To ensure that you do not encounter this issue, always allow Steam to close properly when shutting down your computer. Allowing Windows to force Steam to close when it is writing to a hard drive may cause Steam library and installation information to become corrupted.

[The Giving One]

Originally posted by Rgtx1121:

So I recently installed a new SSD in my computer and added it to my steam library folders. All of my games (around 500+ GB) were previously stored on an external HDD (and yes, I have read steam's statement about HDD's not being recommended).

It's probably just a typo, but the support page mentions that external hard drives are not recommended. It's not just HDD but any external hard drive.

[RGTX]

I know, that's what I mentioned it in my post. There has never been anything wrong with this external hard drive. The fact I can't add a steamapps folder when there are already steam apps in it is the problem

[The Giving One]

Originally posted by Rgtx1121:

I know, that's what I mentioned it in my post. There has never been anything wrong with this external hard drive. The fact I can't add a steamapps folder when there are already steam apps in it is the problem

When adding a library folder, the folder you make must be totally empty.

So you can just make an empty folder and them move and merge files and folders as needed, if applicable.

EDIT...Make sure Steam is closed and not running, if you need to move files about.

[RGTX]

Originally posted by The Giving One:

Originally posted by Rgtx1121:

I know, that's what I mentioned it in my post. There has never been anything wrong with this external hard drive. The fact I can't add a steamapps folder when there are already steam apps in it is the problem

When adding a library folder, the folder you make must be totally empty.

So you can just make an empty folder and them move and merge files and folders as needed, if applicable.

So if I just create a new folder, and add it on steam before moving anything into it, will steam recognize there are games in there when there weren't before? I'm just concerned the pathway will get lost somehow.

[The Giving One]

Originally posted by Rgtx1121:

So if I just create a new folder, and add it on steam before moving anything into it, will steam recognize there are games in there when there weren't before? I'm just concerned the pathway will get lost somehow.

Exactly. If you are adding a new library folder, first you add an empty folder and call it what you want. Then, close Steam, and move the files there.

YOU MUST place everything in the correct location, though. Game folders are in the steamapps/common folder and the .acf files are in the steamapps folder.

If you are not adding another library, and just plan to use the library under your Steam/steamapps/common folder, then you just move everything there.

It really depends on what you want to do. If you want two libraries or one.

EDIT...Ninja'd by the helpful politediligence

[RGTX]

Ok, now I am going to ask a REALLY stupid question, is it more efficient to cut and paste all of the files I want to move or just make a new copy and delete the old ones? I know this is such an elementary question but after a looong day at work, my brain is scrambled. The only reason I ask is that my steam library is over 500 GB

[The Giving One]

If you have enough hard drive space, it's never a bad idea to keep copies and duplicate them to the location where you want them. Then, delete the old ones.

The idea being, if you make a mistake, you have backups to try again with.

Personally, I right click and drag and then select "move here" under Windows, depending on your OS maybe. But that is just me. Cut and paste should do the same thing.

It's not a stupid question at all.

EDIT...

Whatever you do in the end, you do NOT want multiples of your .acf files about. That will cause all kinds of issues, or could.

[RGTX]

Thanks for all of the help. I'm re-downloading a game for me to play this evening, and I'll go ahead and move everything to a new folder overnight. Hopefully it wont take too long considering I have a powerful system.

Edit: I would like to figure out what the root cause of this issue is though. I did not do anything but add another drive and specify that a few downloads go to that folder. I never deleted the old "main" steam library.

[The Giving One]

Sorry, I keep thinking of points to add in edits to my posts. See my last edit, please. If you need any help further, feel free to ask.

[mimizukari]

Originally posted by Rgtx1121:

Thanks for all of the help. I'm re-downloading a game for me to play this evening, and I'll go ahead and move everything to a new folder overnight. Hopefully it wont take too long considering I have a powerful system.

Edit: I would like to figure out what the root cause of this issue is though. I did not do anything but add another drive and specify that a few downloads go to that folder. I never deleted the old "main" steam library.

having a powerful system has nothing to do with how long your game takes to download... That is unless you have an SSD and 2 GB internet to do those insane read/write speeds.

[RGTX]

Originally posted by Kurumi Tokisaki:

Originally posted by Rgtx1121:

Thanks for all of the help. I'm re-downloading a game for me to play this evening, and I'll go ahead and move everything to a new folder overnight. Hopefully it wont take too long considering I have a powerful system.

Edit: I would like to figure out what the root cause of this issue is though. I did not do anything but add another drive and specify that a few downloads go to that folder. I never deleted the old "main" steam library.

having a powerful system has nothing to do with how long your game takes to download... That is unless you have an SSD and 2 GB internet to do those insane read/write speeds.

I understand that, I meant I'm glad I have a powerful PC to copy over the ~500GB of game files that I already have.

I have an I9-9900K and 32GB of RAM, so hopefully it's not too painful